Washington State, November 2019

Statehouse Bill Tracker

A tool for monitoring the Washington State Legislature

The Statehouse Bill Tracker is an NPI project that makes tracking priority legislation simple and easy. The Tracker aggregates feeds for bills “with legs”, providing an up-to-date view of what’s moving in the statehouse at any given time during session. Bills are sorted by activity. The most recently active bills appear at the top and the least active bills appear at the bottom.

When something happens to a bill, we call that an action.

An action could be a bill’s introduction, public hearing in committee, vote on the floor, proposed amendment, or referral to another committee; all these are examples of steps in the legislative process. (See this page for a visual explanation of how a bill becomes a law). Actions affect the placement of bills in the tracker. Here’s a longer explanation:

Bills are sorted in reverse chronological order. The most active bills will always appear at the top. Bills with little activity will sink to the bottom like a heavy stone settling at the bottom of a creek bed after being washed downstream by a flood.

A green dot next to a bill number update indicates the bill reflects progressive values and enjoys our support. Conversely, red octagon (stop sign) indicates that we oppose the bill because it would implement policies that are contrary to progressive values. Finally, a yellow triangle means we have concerns about a bill, but are not working for its defeat.

Assessments of bills are provided by NPI and organizations that we work with, such as the Washington State Labor Council or the Environmental Priorities Coalition. The person/entity that analyzed the bill and provided the wording is always listed to the left of the assessment.

It is possible to view a bill’s full history without clicking away, as long as JavaScript is enabled. Simply click on the blue link that says “Click to view” and the bill history will slide out for easy viewing. (It can be hidden again using the same link, which will change to say “Click to hide”). If JavaScript is not enabled, the bill history may still be viewed, either by clicking the bill number to go to the Legislature’s website or by viewing the source of this page.

SJR 8201 would make it easier to pass school bonds by requiring only a simple majority of voter approval rather than the current 60%. School bonds finance the construction and remodeling of schools. HJR 4203 is the companion bill.

SB 5740 acknowledges that many households have no or inadequate retirement funds. This act would allow workers to establish an IRA which would be administered by and in custody of state government. All employers would be required to offer it.

SB 5511 acknowledges that many rural communities lack access to broadband which has become a critical part of the modern economy. Quality broadband enables access to healthcare, education, essential services and provides economic opportunities. This would help fund and facilitate access for all citizens. HB 1498 is the companion bill.

SB 5075 aims to reduce vehicle fee obligations for low income families. It directs the Regional Transportation Authority, better known as Sound Transit, to provide a credit against its motor vehicle excise tax for people with incomes at or below two hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty line, adjusted for family size, for the county in which they reside. Making the MVET more equitable will allow us to fund the transit expansion we need more justly.

SB 5220 is one of five schemes introduced by Steve O'Ban to sabotage the work of Sound Transit, Puget Sound's Regional Transportation Authority. This scheme attempts to convert Sound Transit's governing board into a directly elected one that right wing lobbies can hijack. Similar bills have been introduced almost every session going back to 2007, and NPI and its allies have a perfect track record of defeating them.

SB 5042 is one of five schemes introduced by Steve O'Ban to sabotage the work of Sound Transit, Puget Sound's Regional Transportation Authority. This scheme attempts to force Sound Transit to use Kelley Blue Book as the basis for determining the value of motor vehicles, just like Tim Eyman wants to do. However, using Kelley Blue Book doesn't make any sense, because what Kelley Blue Book says a car is worth may differ sharply from the car's true worth as determined by a buyer and seller (or by an insurance industry appraisal process).

SB 5513 asks for a biennial Tax Exemption report that includes the dollar value of all tax exemptions and whether they are creating jobs or providing valuable services for citizens. It would require that these expenditures, many of which have no sunset provisions, be a part of the regular budget appropriations process.

State Representative Mike Pellicciotti's Corporate Crime Act (House Bill 1252) would penalize corporations up to $1,000,000 for serious crimes. Washington State's current law caps corporate criminal fines at just $10,000, regardless of the severity of the crime. “Corporations should not face a slap on the wrist for committing crimes that would send a person to up to life in prison,” Pellicciotti says. “It’s time for corporate criminal laws to catch up with the times. It’s embarrassing that these penalties have not increased since before our legislative building was built." NPI agrees. Our research has found strong support across the ideological spectrum for stronger corporate accountability. NPI enthusiastically supports HB 1252.

SB 5313 is legislation requested by the Office of Financial Management that would restore school levy flexibility. It changes the district enrichment levy lid (or cap) to be twenty-eight percent of a district's levy base, instead of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value or $2,500 per
pupil. Passage of this legislation will help school districts avoid making painful and needless cuts to library services, nursing, arts and music education.

SB 5397 could rid us of poorly designed plastic packaging that is difficult to recycle. Producers of plastic packaging would have to take into account environmental impacts in their design. HB 1204 is the companion bill.

SB 5135 would require tracking of consumer products that are a significant pollution source. It would increase transparency in the use of priority chemicals, regulate them and determine civil penalties to help prevent toxic pollution from said chemicals. HB 1194 is the companion bill.

House Bill 1782 would extend the state's Open Public Meetings Act to include panels that advise a governing body, closing a loophole in our public disclosure and transparency laws. NPI strongly supports this legislation.

WashPIRG, Zero Waste Washington, and Repair.org say that House Bill 1342 and its Senate companion SB 5799 "would give Washingtonians what they need to fix electronics and keep them off the scrap heap. They are two of many such bills cropping up across the country, aimed at tackling the growing problem of unrepairable electronic products, ranging from cell phones to home appliances to tractors." NPI strongly supports this effort to reduce e-waste and protect consumer rights.

HB 1722 would allow tabulating votes using ranked choice voting in local elections. While ranked choice voting has some appealing aspects it also has some negatives that could lead to unintended consequences. In our quest of increasing voter turnout, gaining transparency in elections and ending the undue influence of money, lets' also be sure to do no harm. SB 5708 is the companion bill.

Senate Bill 5273 will create a presidential primary statute that both major political parties can use to allocate delegates to their respective national conventions. It puts the parties in charge of determining who appears on their ballots instead of leaving this up to the Secretary of State (currently Republican Kim Wyman).

HB 1114 is legislation from Representative Beth Doglio that seeks to reduce food waste and fight hunger. The bill instructs public agencies and companies involved in food production, distribution, sale, disposal, and recovery to work together on strategies that improve efficiencies in food production, divert surplus food to families in need, and get us closer to zero waste goals. “It is critical that the state take every step we can to reduce hunger in our communities — particularly hunger among children,” Doglio says. “The results will be greater if we can work towards that goal while also reducing the environmental impacts of food waste.”

SB 5270 modifies dates for primaries, general elections, PCO elections, candidate filings, etc. The primary would move to the 3rd Tuesday of May and candidate filing would move to the 3rd week in March for example.

As summarized by the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Senate Bill 5336 "would provide authority for utilities to offer programs to assist their customers in acquiring transportation electrification equipment." Passage of this legislation will help Washington make its ports cleaner and greener. There is also a House companion, HB 1512.

SB 5497 would limit immigration enforcement at certain public facilities, require state agencies to review their confidentiality policies and prohibit state agencies from cooperating with federal registration or surveillance of residents based on race, religion, immigration or citizenship status. Companion bill is HB 1815.

SB 5577 would regulate whale watching boats to protect orca whales. There is a persistent problem of whale watching boats not respecting their distance from whales or improperly interacting with whales. Companion bill is HB 1580.

HJR 4203 would make it easier to pass school bonds by requiring only a simple majority of voter approval rather than the current 60%. School bonds finance the construction and remodeling of schools. SJR 8201 is the companion bill.

SB 5526 is referred to as a public option by some. It needs amendments dealing with funding, reimbursement for providers, and timing on reaching the goal of single payer. HB 1523 is the companion bill.

SB 5822 would convene a work group to explore how to fund and transition to universal healthcare for all Washingtonians. This is dependent on getting a waiver from the federal government to allow states to redirect federal health care funds which HR 6097, sponsored by Pramila Jayapal, would do. HB 1877 is the companion bill.

SB 5617 claims it would help save salmon & orcas but in reality is divisive, threatens many rural economies already struggling and is not based on science. We should instead encourage programs like the underfunded Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups where all stakeholders are encouraged to work together to restore salmon in Washington. Lets' not bring back the salmon wars.

SB 5057 is Attorney General request legislation. It would raise the age to buy tobacco products from eighteen to twenty-one, in line with the minimum age required to purchase alcoholic beverages. NPI strongly supports this public health legislation. This is the House version; there is also a Senate companion bill, SB 5057.

SB 5079 would make it easier for Native Americans in Washington to vote by: (1) authorizing tribes to "request ballot drop boxes on reservations and designation of state facilities on reservations as voter registration sites, with legal enforcement for election officials' failure to comply," (2) permitting "the use of non traditional residential addresses by any person residing on an Indian reservation or lands for voter registration purposes," and (3) permitting "the use of tribal identification for electronic voter registration where the Secretary of State can obtain a copy of the applicant's signature." (Descriptions of provisions quoted above were provided by nonpartisan legislative staff). NPI strongly supports this effort to lower barriers to voting for our Native brothers and sisters. There is a House companion, HB 1339.

SB 5623 will ensure that the state's collective bargaining statutes are in compliance with the Janus decision, while protecting the freedom of Washington's public employees to join together and bargain for fair compensation. Companion bill is HB 1575

HB 1523 is referred to as a public option by some. It needs amendments dealing with funding, reimbursement for providers, and timing on reaching the goal of single payer. SB 5526 is the companion bill.

Senate Joint Memorial 8008 would urge the U.S. House and Senate to adopt federal legislation to prohibit the sale of tobacco and vapor products to those under twenty-one years of age. "As nine of ten smokers start before age twenty-one, this would help protect young people from a lifetime of addiction," the Washington State Medical Association says.

HB 1921 changes the real estate excise tax from a flat rate to a progressive rate structure and invests the resulting additional revenue in affordable housing throughout the state. The flat rate disproportionately impacts the well-being of low to middle income households.

Currently, state law allows parents of children attending public schools to choose not to vaccinate their children if they have a "philosophical" objection to vaccines. HB 1638 would get rid of this exemption for a single type of vaccine (the MMR vaccine) and require that children who attend public schools be vaccinated unless they cannot be for medical reasons. The "philosophical" objection would be no more. Vaccines are scientifically proven to be the only preventative treatment for highly contagious diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), and it's critical that kids receive them. NPI strongly supports this legislation.

Senate Bill 5339 would permanently abolish the barbaric practice of putting people to death for the crime of aggravated first degree murder. The Supreme Court recently converted all death sentences to life sentences, but the state's death penalty statute remains on the books. It's time for abolition. According to NPI research, 69% of Washingtonians support life in prison alternatives to the death penalty, with a majority in favor of life in prison without the possibility of parole. That is exactly the replacement sentence that SB 5339 provides for. NPI strongly supports this historic, groundbreaking human rights reform. There is also a House companion, HB 1488.

As summarized by the Northwest Seaport Alliance, House Bill 1512 "would provide authority for utilities to offer programs to assist their customers in acquiring transportation electrification equipment." Passage of this legislation will help Washington make its ports cleaner and greener. There is also a Senate companion, SB 5336.

House Bill 1379 takes aim at the practice of obfuscating who is behind a mailer or ad campaign by creating shell PACs. A shell PAC is a political action committee that had no purpose other than serving as a pass-through entity for another political action committee. For example, the Washington Association for Oil Drilling (a made up entity) might want to attack a progressive candidate by using a front called Working Families for Good Progressive Jobs. "Working Families For Good Progressive Jobs" would be listed as the Top Five Contributors in the mailers financed by the Washington Association for Oil Drilling, thereby shielding the Association's identity on the mailer itself and forcing voters to engage in detective work to find out who is really behind the mailer. HB 1379 changes the law to require the Top Five Contributors to be entities that aren't political committees, thus neutralizing the practice of creating shell PACs.

"Senate Bill 5393 would transform the State Need Grant into Washington’s College Promise grant, a guaranteed source of financial aid for more than 93,000 eligible students," the Senate Democratic Caucus explains.

SB 5079 would make it easier for Native Americans in Washington to vote by: (1) authorizing tribes to "request ballot drop boxes on reservations and designation of state facilities on reservations as voter registration sites, with legal enforcement for election officials' failure to comply," (2) permitting "the use of non traditional residential addresses by any person residing on an Indian reservation or lands for voter registration purposes," and (3) permitting "the use of tribal identification for electronic voter registration where the Secretary of State can obtain a copy of the applicant's signature." (Descriptions of provisions quoted above were provided by nonpartisan legislative staff). NPI strongly supports this effort to lower barriers to voting for our Native brothers and sisters. There is a Senate companion, SB 5079.

SB 5331 would help cover long term care expenses. The problem is very few people can afford long term care insurance and Medicare doesn’t cover associated costs leaving many people forced to pay out of pocket until they qualify for Medicaid. HB 1087 is the companion bill.

Senate Bill 5784 is proposed legislation offered by Senator Jamie Pedersen that would partially shield the Legislature from the provisions of the Public Records Act. While the bill has several nobly intentioned provisions designed to strike a balance between transparency and legislative productivity, NPI cannot support it in its current form, as it provides too many broad exemptions to legislators that other elected leaders do not get. Like the Washington Coalition For Open Government, we hope the bill can be amended to address our concerns.

House Bill 1375 would subject all port districts in Washington to campaign contribution limits. Current law restricts how much money a candidate for the Port of Seattle or Port of Tacoma may accept, but candidates running in other port districts are not subject to any contribution limits. This bill makes that loophole go away.

SB 5224 would repeal part of an old Tim Eyman initiative that forces Washington's thirty-nine counties to waste precious resources on loaded, non-binding "advisory vote" measures that purport to give voters an opportunity to weigh in on revenue increases passed by the Legislature. Advisory votes -- which are really push polls cooked up by Eyman -- are costly, deceptive, and unconstitutional, and NPI strongly supports ending them.

HB 1527 allows low income and middle income workers to recover part or all of what they pay in state sales tax to increase their economic security and to decrease the recessivity of our state tax code. SB 5810 is the companion bill.

HJM 4008 requests that congress establish more checks & balances to reduce the possibility of the President having the sole, unchecked authority to launch nuclear weapons and making it U.S. policy to not be the first in nuclear weapon use in case of conflict.

SB 5063 would permanently require prepaid postage on ballot return envelopes across Washington State, ensuring that we don't go back to requiring the use of a stamp to return a ballot through the mail. NPI strongly supports this legislation.

HB 1064 is bipartisan legislation that would perfect De-Escalate Washington's Initiative 940, the measure overwhelmingly passed last year by voters that changed the standard needed to prosecute police officers for use of deadly force. It is similar to a bill the Legislature previously passed which was invalidated by the State Supreme Court on a technicality. There is a Senate companion bill, SB 5029.

House Bill 1601 would provide portable benefits to people classified as independent contractors. "HB 1601 would also establish a system of standards boards, which would provide workers classified as contractors with a voice in their jobs — a way to come together with companies & representatives of the public to set & raise standards in their industries," Working Washington says.

WashPIRG, Zero Waste Washington, and Repair.org say that Senate Bill 5799 and its House companion HB 1342 "would give Washingtonians what they need to fix electronics and keep them off the scrap heap. They are two of many such bills cropping up across the country, aimed at tackling the growing problem of unrepairable electronic products, ranging from cell phones to home appliances to tractors." NPI strongly supports this effort to reduce e-waste and protect consumer rights.

HB 1086 would increase appropriated funding for public indigent defense service from the current 4% to eventually 100%. This free service is a federal constitutional mandate the state passed down to the counties. Many counties have revenues not keeping up with inflation and with growing populations, they are having to cut other vital services. SB 5098 is the companion bill.

Elections are a public service that cost money. However, in Washington State, local governments are responsible for paying 100% of the cost of holding elections in even numbered years, including for state offices. SB 5073 helps local governments by requiring reimbursement for state-related elections cost in even numbered years. The state already reimburses counties for state-level costs in odd-numbered years.

HB 1067 restricts the ability of certain state officers and employees from working as lobbyists to influence certain state agencies for two years after leaving public service. SB 5033 is the companion bill.

SB 5057 is Attorney General request legislation. It would raise the age to buy tobacco products from eighteen to twenty-one, in line with the minimum age required to purchase alcoholic beverages. NPI strongly supports this public health legislation. This is the Senate version; there is also a House companion bill, HB 1074.

House Bill 1488 would permanently abolish the barbaric practice of putting people to death for the crime of aggravated first degree murder. The Supreme Court recently converted all death sentences to life sentences, but the state's death penalty statute remains on the books. It's time for abolition. According to NPI research, 69% of Washingtonians support life in prison alternatives to the death penalty, with a majority in favor of life in prison without the possibility of parole. That is exactly the replacement sentence that SB 5339 provides for. NPI strongly supports this historic, groundbreaking human rights reform. There is also a Senate companion, SB 5339.

Senate Bill 5229 is legislation requested by Secretary of State Kim Wyman that moves up the date of the presidential primary but does not make it usable for both major political parties. The bill forbids recounts and would create a separate, meaningless "straw poll" on the presidential primary ballot. Both provisions violate national Democratic Party nominating rules. Passage of this bill as introduced would leave the Democratic Party unable to use the presidential primary. NPI's position is that we need a primary that both major parties can use, so we oppose this bill.

House Bill 1343 would levy a capital gains tax on the wealthy to fund public education in Washington. Requested by Governor Inslee, this bill would implement an idea that NPI research has consistently found strong support for. In NPI's last research poll, 58% of respondents expressed support for levying a capital gains tax to fund education. There is a Senate companion bill, SB 5129.

House Bill 1109 is the vehicle for the 2019-2021 Operating Budget in the Legislature's larger chamber. Washington must have a budget, and NPI supports increased investments in mental health, public schools, higher education, geologic hazards research, and other essential services.

Senate Bill 5129 would levy a capital gains tax on the wealthy to fund public education in Washington. Requested by Governor Inslee, this bill would implement an idea that NPI research has consistently found strong support for. In NPI's last research poll, 58% of respondents expressed support for levying a capital gains tax to fund education. There is a House companion bill, HB 1343.

NPI strongly supports bringing universal, single-payer healthcare to Washington State. However, we don't think it should be funded by a capital gains tax on high earners, as we believe that funding from a capital gains tax on high earners should be dedicated to public education. Furthermore, the cosponsors of SB 5222 have stated that while they, like us, are enthusiastic about bringing single-payer healthcare to Washington, they don't think a bill like this can realistically be implemented until Trump and Pence are out of the White House. So, in the meantime, there's an opportunity to have a conversation about what needs to go into a strong single-payer bill that can avoid the kind of problems that we saw with the rollout of healthcare.gov and the failed "Cover Oregon" initiative, using bills like 5222 as a springboard.

Senate Bill 5153 is the vehicle for the 2019-2021 Operating Budget in the Legislature's smaller chamber. Washington must have a budget, and NPI supports increased investments in mental health, public schools, higher education, geologic hazards research, and other essential services.

Requiring a regional transit authority to receive additional approval from voters if the cost to complete a regional transit system plan approved by voters in 2016 increases beyond fifty-four billion dollars or any additions or subtractions of projects or significant project scope when compared to the system plan are made.

SB 5037 is one of five schemes introduced by Steve O'Ban to sabotage the work of Sound Transit, Puget Sound's Regional Transportation Authority. This scheme attempts to force Sound Transit to put its already-approved ST3 expansion plan back on the ballot for *another* public vote. It's a shame that Steve O'Ban doesn't respect the will of the voters. NPI will make sure that this bill goes nowhere.

SB 5043 is one of five schemes introduced by Steve O'Ban to sabotage the work of Sound Transit, Puget Sound's Regional Transportation Authority. This scheme attempts to nullify a portion of Sound Transit's voter-approved tax revenue in order to force the cancellation of its projects.

SB 5044 is one of five schemes introduced by Steve O'Ban to sabotage the work of Sound Transit, Puget Sound's Regional Transportation Authority. This scheme attempts to nullify a portion of Sound Transit's voter-approved tax revenue in order to force the cancellation of its projects.